Well-known P.E.I. shoe store owner set to retire after 65 years

When 81-year-old Wayne Proudebegan selling shoes while he was in college, he didn't plan to be in the business for as long as he has.

Over the past65 years, he took on a jobat Wright's Shoe Company, then managed and bought out Ellis Bros. in Charlottetown beforestarting his own store called Proude's Shoes. It'scurrently located in the Sherwood Business Centre.

Now, he'sfinally set to retire.

"It's emotional, you know. It's going to be. And the more I talk about it, the more it sinks in that it's finally happening," he said. "It's been a great career."

His sonKevinis graduallytaking over the store, but Proude will continue to help customers behind the counter until his last day on May 12, marking his65th anniversary of selling shoes.

Despite liking sales, Proude said the job hasn't solely beenabout selling for him. Being out on the floor and helping the people who walked through his doorshas kept him around all these decades, he said.

"It's the friendships you make with your customer, you know, over the years. They've been pretty faithful to us," he said.

His relationships with the community haveextended outside of the store as well.

That includes his partnerships with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and nursing homes in Charlottetown, as well as his yearly clearance sale in Vernon River, every October.

His wife Judy, who did the business's bookkeeping, saidworking in the store hasbeen a life journey for both of them, which is addingto the sentimentality of next month's retirement.

"I'll certainly miss the stories he has to tell me," she said.

Carole Doyle, a sales associate who's worked at Proude'sShoes for more than five decades, said she was taught the art ofcustomer service from her very first day in 1971.

"I love working here and I love working with Wayne," she said, adding that she feels like she's working with family.

Proude's advice to new business owners? Keep yourself available to customers, because they are the most important people in the business.